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August Newsletter

FROM THE PASTOR . . .

My wife Deborah and I are glad to be a part of the Mineral Springs family.  She and I have been married 32 years.  Our family was blessed several years ago when our oldest daughter Ashley married Jeremy Schroeder.  Ashley and Jeremy have two wonderful children; Savannah and Kennedy whom you might imagine are the joys of our lives.  Brooke our youngest daughter was recently married to Phillip Minton.  We look forward to learning about your families and joys.
            I was reared in Burke County and graduated from Glen Alpine High School.  I said yes to the call of God upon my life to ordained ministry at the age of 30.  I received my degrees from Pfeiffer College and Duke University.  I was ordained elder in the United Methodist Church in 1996.  I have served the Locust-Oakboro Charge, Mocks, and Millers Creek United Methodist Churches.  God has blessed in many ways our lives and my call is to share the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with all people.

Bruce Gwyn

WITH SYMPATHY

• Joanne Rodgers and her family, Margaret Ward, who passed away July 11th. 

• Kelly Hargett and his family on the death of his sister, JoAnn Helms, who passed away June 20th.

• Ed Isaman and his family in death of his grandmother, Alice Isaman, of New York.

DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER IS AUGUST 24th!!

THANK YOU NOTES

Dear Church Family,
We would like to thank our church family for their prayers, care and concerns during the past months.  We sincerely appreciate the cards, phone calls and food.  We feel very blessed.                               
Charles & Mickey Gordon

Our family is humbled by all the love, prayers and concern shown to us during the time of our loss.  Thank you so very much for the lovely flowers that were sent and the food that was provided to us.  We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of all our friends and extended family.  The loss of our father, brother and husband is such a sad time, but we have God’s promise of being reunited with him again in heaven one day.
                                    Love in Christ, Modine Griffin and Family

 MEMORIAL GIFTS

DID YOU KNOW? …… The church office receives over 100 phone calls each day, but we only have one incoming line. If you call and get voice mail, please leave a message and we’ll return your call as quickly as possible.  Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.

Please be prepared to donate at our upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive on August 7th.  You must be at least 17, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be in good health.  You must bring a picture ID with you! If you have not signed up yet, please see Mary Walker for more information.

OPERATION REACHOUT needs plastic grocery bags.  This is an ongoing need.  Give these to Modene Howie or drop them by the church office.  A DENTAL LAB is scheduled for August 25th and 26th.  Call Modene for more information.

DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT?????  Call the church office or Sue Thornton to let us know what your talent is!  We need people with all levels of ability.  Choir Season begins in August – if you have a heart to sing – please come join us!  Choir practice is each Wednesday at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. 

A Wedding Shower will be held for Kristi Geddings on August 26th from 2:00-4:00 in the CLC.  All ladies of the church are invited. 

WANTED! People with kind hearts to donate CAT & DOG FOOD, TREATS, OLD TOWELS, TOYS for the Union County Animal Shelter. This is a Girl Scout Bronze project by Rachael Harvey and Katie Fournier, Troop 854. Boxes for the donations will be in the breezeway and the FLC.

VISITOR VOLUNTEERS: I am updating our teams and have several openings for volunteers. If you would be willing to visit some of our homebound once a month, please let me know ASAP. Thanks, Marilyn

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

• Wednesday, Sept. 6th is Latino Festival! The UM Hispanic Congregation in Monroe is coming to share food, music, and activities! (Donations will go to help their ministry.)

• Lay Witness Weekend is Sept. 29 – Oct. 1

CHILDREN’S CHURCH will resume the Sunday following Labor Day. Those interested in helping in this ministry are asked to contact Marilyn Wooten.

NEEDED: Persons with Gifts in the area of TEACHING and ASSISTING!
The new Sunday School Year begins Sunday, August 20th, Promotion Day,
with a celebration in the Family Life Center.
On the following Sunday, August 27th, the Sunday School time will include
community building’ between new teachers and students, as well as a devotional time.
The new FALL CURRICULUM will be introduced on Sunday, September 3rd,
as the regular routine of Sunday School resumes!
WOULD YOU CONSIDER TEAM TEACHING A CHILDREN’S CLASS or a MIDDLE HIGH CLASS?
You would share responsibilities with others on a rotating basis.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER “HELPING” in a class?
WOULD YOU CONSIDER being a SUBSTITUTE teacher? 
Pray about these opportunities and come to a Sunday School workshop on
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the KOINONIA CLASSROOM.
If you have questions or concerns, or want to volunteer, contact Marilyn Wooten or Michelle Rogers. 

“A GATHERING OF THE LAITY”
Theme for the Gathering of the Laity at Lake Junaluska, August 18-20. This is an evangelistic outreach program and anyone is invited to attend. Many members of MSUMC attended last year and want to encourage you to consider attending this life-changing event. You will go away a transformed person because of your encounter with the Body of Christ. Brochures available in the church office.

COED SOFTBALL!
Schedule: Friday, August 4, 7:45 vs. Waxhaw Methodist; Friday, Aug. 11, 6:30 vs. Siler 1; Monday, Aug. 14, 7:45 vs. Waxhaw Methodist.   Games will be played at Siler Presbyterian Church Field on Hwy. 84.

 YOUTH NEWS!

• Middle High Retreat to Elk Shoals, Friday, August 11 – Sunday, August 13.

• Middle Highs to Carowinds, Sunday, August 20th. Leave at 11:00, following “Promotion Day” celebration in FLC.

• Youth Leaders Planning Meeting: Youth Counselors for 2006-07 meet at Marilyn’s house on Sunday, August 20th, 6:30 p.m. for supper and work! Interested in being a counselor?!?!?! Contact Marilyn ASAP.

• Senior High Activity TBA – Watch for details

• August 27th – ORIENTATION for FALL for Youth and Parent(s). 5:15 p.m. in FLC. (Church Cook-out will follow at 6:00, then Gospel Music at 7:00 in Sanctuary.)

 SAFE SANCTUARIES EDUCATION SEMINAR,
Tuesday, August 15th, 7:30 p.m. in FLC
This will be a time of introducing the details of our policies for
ALL who will be working with CHILDREN and YOUTH for 2006-07, including
Sunday School teachers, Youth Counselors, Scout leaders, Upward volunteers,
Nursery workers, Children’s Church workers, and others.
This is a MANDATORY MEETING to comply with WNCC guidelines regarding safety in our churches.
A “makeup” meeting will be held on THURSDAY, AUG. 17, 7:30 p.m.
If for any reason, a volunteer cannot attend one of these meetings,
individual times can be set up by calling the church office.
For more information, contact Lynn Wallace (committee chair)
or Marilyn Wooten. Beth Blythe, Cindy Culp, Devon Wortman, Joanne Helms, or Jack Bruschi.
**Committee Meeting on Wednesday, August 9th, at 7:00 p.m. in CLC.

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